LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose…” (Romans 8:28, the Holy Bible).

LIFE-CHANGING RADIO PROGRAM AT INC RADIO:For a thousand and one reasons, or maybe more, I consider as thoroughly life-changing the gracious decision of His Excellency, Eduardo V. Manalo, the venerable Executive Minister of the powerful Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), for me to be given a daily radio program at the INC radio station DZEC (6 a.m. to 7 a.m., daily, over 1062 kHz on the AM band) starting April 07, 2014.

First and foremost, it manifests the goodwill towards me of the good Executive Minister, or Ka Eduardo to millions and millions of INC members nationwide and worldwide, even though many may think or say that I may not be thoroughly deserving of that goodwill.

Second, it somehow demonstrates the willingness of Ka Eduardo and the INC, as well as of the top management of DZEC (Radyo Agila of the Eagle Broadcasting Corporation), to give me a chance to prove my worth as a public affairs commentator from this point onward. Last but not least, it has set me on a solid platform of pursuing my lifelong pursuit as a free legal aid lawyer, through radio.

THANK YOU, EXECUTIVE MINISTER EDUARDO V. MANALO: This is the reason why I am fully thankful to Ka Eduardo and INC for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I consider this as a lifetime “debt of gratitude” or, in Filipino, “utang na loob”, that cannot be paid by any material thing. I am greatly grateful, too, to those who graciously supported Ka Eduardo’s decision---Ka Erds Codera, Ka TJ (Teobin Jerdan) Orosa, Ka Nelson Lubao, and Ka Laila Tumanan (the station manager) and the rest of DZEC contingent.

I wish to also personally thank Ka Vic Somintac, DZEC’s veteran Malacanang reporter, who is now my co-host in the daily program (tentatively called “Batas at Somintac sa Radyo Agila”), for his ready acceptance of our tandem. Indeed, God works for the common good of those love Him. I therefore ask our readers in this column to pray to God to guide and bless all of us in this new endeavor.

NEWS COMMENTARY, NO-HOLDS-BARRED:“Batas at Somintac sa Radyo Agila”, in its first airing Monday, April 07, 2014, laid down the format it will follow in the next several days: news commentary bordering on politico-socio-legal issues affecting day to day affairs, particularly of governance and politics.

The background of my co-host, Mr. Vic Somintac, as a long-time reporter and broadcaster who has covered a lot of news beats including the Malacanang beat at present, and my own experience as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and radio-TV host and as a practicing lawyer, gave us, modesty aside, some wonderful chemistry in looking at and discussing issues of national importance, in a no-holds-barred manner.

“BATAS AT SOMINTAC SA RADYO AGILA”: I therefore wish to invite everyone to make it a habit to listen to the program “Batas at Somintac sa Radyo Agila”, Mondays to Fridays, at 6 to 7 in the morning. Join me and Vic in dissecting issues, highlighting important considerations not only on matters of national and international importance, but also of personal and local concerns.

You can join the discussions by texting me your messages at these numbers: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, and 0922 833 43 96. Those who have relatives abroad who may want to listen or to join the discussions or who may require explanations on their legal problems can log on to www.eaglebroadcasting.net.